Abstract: A connector is disclosed which includes a base having a first and second surface and first and second rows of contacts, each having a conductor engaging portion upstanding from the aforementioned first surface. A cover is connected to the base and is movable between a first position in which clearance is provided between the conductor engaging portions of the contacts and the cover and a second position in which the conductors of a multiconductor cable inserted between the conductor engaging portions of the contacts and the cover are brought into electrical engagement with the conductor engaging portions of the contacts. Cable guide means are positioned between the first and second rows of contacts for guiding the multiconductor cable on its path of travel between the first and second rows of contacts.

Abstract: A method of connecting electric cables includes providing perforations in overlapping portions of the cables and then connecting the cables through the perforations. The cables may be preperforated or they may be perforated at the job site.

Abstract: In connecting flat multiconductor cables, one cable is placed atop another to provide a matrix of zones in which connections may be made of any conductor of one cable to any conductor of the other cable. Selection is made of one zone and it is perforated. An insulating-piercing connector is inserted through the perforation and crimped to provide an electrical connection between the pair of cable conductors in registry with the selected zone. Selection of further zones for perforation and connector insertion is made progressively from those zones which do not have in registry therewith any conductor which was in registry with any previously selected zone. Apparatus for implementing preferred connection zone selection precludes use of connecting zones other than a singular zone for connection of one conductor pair and compels use of a selective few zones individually for connection of respective other conductor pairs, thereby lessening connection error likelihood.

Abstract: An improved tool is disclosed for use in cleaving fiber optic elements preparatory to a splice for joining of two such fiber optic elements. The improved tool comprises support means having a longitudinal axis for supporting the fiber optic element therealong, grooving means for forming a groove in the surface of the fiber optic element, engagement causing means for causing engagement of the grooving means with the fiber optic element, and mounting means for mounting the grooving means to revolve about the longitudinal axis of the support means to circumferentially groove a fiber optic element about its entire circumference. The engagement causing means is movable between a first position in which the grooving means is adapted to engage the fiber optic element and a second position in which the grooving means is adapted to be spaced from the fiber optic element. Also, the engagement causing means is normally biased towards the first position.

Abstract: A self-locking clamp member comprises a bendable member for bending along a bending line which divides the bendable member into first and second arm portions separated from one another by the bending line. The first arm portion includes a bendable tab extending away from the surface of the first arm portion and the second arm portion includes an opening for receiving the bendable tab and closing means associated with the opening for engaging the bendable tab to bend the tab when the tab enters the opening as the bendable member is bent along the bending to move the first and second arm portions towards one another.

Abstract: The improvement to a header which provides a selectively installable, selectively rotatable lever having thereon provisions to eject a connector placed on such header when rotated in a first direction by an operator gripping an extension of such lever, mating a connector to such header when the lever means is rotated in a second direction and positioning restraining means at one or more selective positions with respect to a connector to retain same in mating relationship with said header. The header is provided with suitable recesses to accept tabs on the lever to allow for selective lever rotation and slots to permit the selective installation and removal of the lever with respect to the header.

Abstract: A bending tool for bending a bendable member. The bending tool includes first and second engaging members each having an engaging surface for engaging a portion of the bendable member. A first support member supports the first engaging member and a second support member is provided for supporting the second engaging member. Mounting means mount the second support member for relative movement with respect to the first support member between an open position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a first distance, and a closed position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a second distance less than the first distance. Pivotal mounting means are provided for pivotally mounting the second engaging member on the second support member so as to be pivotable with respect to the second support member independent of relative movement of the first and second support members.

Abstract: A cable assembly for use in undercarpet wiring systems has a flat multiconductor cable encased in electrical insulation and an electrically conductive shield overlying the cable insulation, extending lengthwise with the cable and having successive extents which are respectively unsecured and secured to the cable. Electrical connection of the shield to the cable ground conductor is made redundantly at each such secured extent of the shield whereby physical continuity of the shield may be interrupted without interrupting electrical continuity of the shield to ground. Folded cable assemblies and methods for folding are set forth which facilitate cable directional change in wiring systems.

Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board has a base and a cover movably mounted thereon. A depending portion of the base cooperates with a depending portion of the cover to removably mount the connector on the printed circuit board. The connector is adapted to receive an electrical contact having a number of insulation-displacing slots, each of which is offset with respect to at least one adjacent slot.

Abstract: A connector for joining a flexible metallic raceway to an electrical enclosure comprising a nonconductive body portion having enclosure engaging means, raceway insertion limiting means and a protected conductor entrance throat and a conductive plate engageable with said body portion and said enclosure and providing raceway engaging and grounding means.

Abstract: A tool for fixing the position of an optical fiber with respect to the connector containing same. The connector containing an optical fiber is fastened to a movable connector support which is moved into position with respect to a collar that causes portions of the connector to retract and expose the fiber adjacent the index of a gauge. The position of the fiber end can be adjusted while viewing the fiber end and the index through a magnifying device properly illuminated.

Abstract: A selectively positionable pivot coupling is provided between a full stroke compelling mechanism and either one or both of the tool handle members between which such mechanism is coupled to permit a re-opening of the handle members at preselected points in the closure stroke of the tool.

Abstract: The subject device is a connector for flexible elastically deformable elongate members having two mating halves, portions of which overlie one another. Within such overlying portions extend passages for receiving and holding the elongate members, the passages made up of a V-notch groove and a confronting flat surface or a rectangular recess which deforms the elongate member at three points, centering the members and bringing them to an end-to-end relationship. Additional elements are added for strain relief, centering, latching and position control.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in crimping and cutting tools and the like includes a resettable drive system which permits the user to selectively increase or decrease the angular opening between the tool handles at any fixed point in the operative stroke of the tool. The handles of the tool may thus be disposed at any desired angular relationship with respect to one another for operation either in close quarters or for more comfortable operation without sacrificing the lever advantage originally designed into the tool.

Abstract: A hollow tubular member is provided with a plurality of obliquely oriented slots creating therebetween a series of ring elements which are offset from the transverse plan of the tubular member to provide an effective reduction of the internal diameter thereof for lockingly engaging an elongate element inserted within the tubular member. Both ends of the tubular member may be similarly slotted to provide an in-line coupling between two elongate members. Also disclosed is a method for forming the sleeve from a flat blank of material. Suitable modifications may be made to permit the sleeve to be attached to a support plate such as the wall of an electrical enclosure or the like.

Abstract: A splice connector for elongate members such as optical fibers and the like comprises, in one embodiment, a triad of rod-like elements over which is disposed an elongated heat-contractable sleeve the ends of which are provided with a reduced diameter to provide a means for guiding the fibers into the central passageway created within the triad arrangement. The contractable sleeve may be provided as preformed sleeve halves and one of the rods of the triad divided into two parts spaced apart so as to provide an opening coincident with an opening in the sleeve to permit viewing of the interior and the application of sealing material to the splice joint. The distal ends of the reduced diameter portion of the sleeve may be flared outwardly slightly and later heat-contracted about an insulative covering or other protective member disposed about the original elongate member to provide strain relief and clamping means thereat.

Abstract: Each of a pair of die nest members for a crimping tool comprises preferably four individual arms extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis in a cruciform configuration permitting each arm to be selectively indexed into operative position in one jaw of the tool for disposition adjacent any one of the similarly indexable arms of the other die nest member in the other jaw of the tool to provide a selectively determinable pattern of mating die nest combinations. Each die nest member may be rotated about its transverse axis to insure that the desired die nest combination will be located at a position employing the most favorable mechanical advantage of the tool.

Abstract: An electrical terminating device includes a prestessed generally annular split collar member having its free ends held apart by a rigid bridge member having leg portions urged into abutting engagement with the free ends of a lower saddle member to maintain the bowed side walls of the collar member in a preloaded condition. A slidable pressure plate is introduced within the interior of the assembly for cooperation with a pressure screw extending inwardly from the bridge member to pressure connect a conductor end to the saddle member upon suitable rotation of the pressure screw, the pre-loaded bowed side walls of the collar member operating to compensate for any expansion and contraction of the conductor while connected within the device.

Abstract: The bottom portion of a cupshaped vessel adapted to fit snugly over the rim of a conventional beverage can is provided with a selectively slotted opening preferably bounded by a sealing rib, the opening being contoured to approximate the usual pull-tab opening in the beverage can to provide a drinking attachment therefor. A second sealing rib may be provided to reseal the opening of the beverage can for storage and transport upon the rotation of the drinking attachment from a first or drinking position to a second or sealing position. The vessel may be provided with a lid portion to serve as a product container the contents of which may be emptied and the vessel thereafter used as a drinking attachment.

Abstract: An adjustable floor receptacle includes a comparmentalized construction provided with fire barriers and partitions arranged to insure electrical and mechanical isolation between discrete power and communication cables terminating therewithin.